Nikon is pleased to announce a buffer memory expansion service for the D3 Digital SLR camera. After the camera has been upgraded, the number of shots possible with a single burst of continuous shooting is increased. This increase in shooting performance will expand the range of shooting possibilities.

This service starts from 30th July 2008. Contact a Nikon repair centre for more information regarding the cost of the upgrade and how long it will take. Click here to find your nearest Nikon repair centre. Note that the customer is responsible for all shipping costs, both to and from service.

When returning a camera for this service, include a note specifically requesting the "D3 buffer memory expansion" with your personal details. Please be aware that all camera settings will be reverted to their default settings once this service has been performed.

Number of shots possible per burst of continuous shooting with buffer memory expansion

Image quality

Image

size

FX format

DX format

Before

After

Before

After

NEF (RAW)
(12-bit lossless compressed)

－

18 shots

43 shots

28 shots

68 shots

NEF (RAW)
(14-bit lossless compressed)

－

16 shots

36 shots

25 shots

58 shots

NEF (RAW)
(12-bit compressed)

－

20 shots

44 shots

36 shots

87 shots

NEF (RAW)
(14-bit compressed)

－

16 shots

37 shots

29 shots

64 shots

NEF (RAW)
(12-bit uncompressed)

－

17 shots

38 shots

25 shots

61 shots

NEF (RAW)
(14-bit uncompressed)

－

16 shots

36 shots

22 shots

54 shots

TIFF (RGB)

Large

17 shots

35 shots

20 shots

46 shots

Medium

19 shots

42 shots

25 shots

59 shots

Small

25 shots

61 shots

41 shots

101 shots

JPEG fine

Large

52 shots

119 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Medium

92 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Small

96 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

JPEG normal

Large

74 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Medium

98 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Small

100 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

JPEG basic

Large

79 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Medium

100 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Small

100 shots

130 shots

130 shots

130 shots

Test conditions: See your camera’s reference manual for details.
High ISO NR set to Off, Active D-Lighting set to Off, Image authentication set to Off, focus-mode selector set to [C]or [M], exposure mode set to [S] or [M], shutter speeds of 1/250 or faster, ISO sensitivity set to 200, release modedial set to [CH] continuous high speed, Shooting speed set to 9 fps (FX format) or 11 fps (DX format), with 2 GBSanDisk Extreme IV (SDCFX4) memory card.
*All other settings at default values.